Frequently Asked Questions

You will have to ask this question to any potential new primary care provider. You should be aware that many primary care providers throughout our community have chosen not to treat persistent pain as a part of their primary care practice. Many of these providers would be happy to work with you to manage other health issues, but rather than managing your persistent pain, they will insist on referring you to a pain specialty clinic such as the Montana Spine & Pain Center for management of your persistent pain. When you make your initial call to a new primary care provider’s office, it may be helpful to let the office staff know if you do not necessarily expect the new primary care provider to treat your persistent pain or to prescribe pain medication, and you would be happy to accept a referral to a pain specialty clinic. They will also need to know if you have other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol that you need a primary care provider to manage.

The Montana Spine & Pain Center is a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic of Providence Medical Group. Our providers treat both acute and persistent persistent pain. They have developed a state-of-the-art neurobehavioral rehabilitation program for patients suffering from persistent pain. The neurobehavioral rehabilitation program minimizes the use of medication and emphasizes the role of patient behavior change, lifestyle modification and development of enhanced pain-related coping skills.

First, we need to clarify what we mean by "pain medications." Patients often think the only pain medications are opioid or narcotic medications such as methadone, morphine or oxycodone. In fact, these types of medications are no longer typically used for treating persistent pain. Instead, anti-depressant and antiseizure medications such as Cymbalta or Neurontin are now the more commonly prescribed types of "pain medication." The providers at the Montana Spine & Pain Center most likely will not prescribe opioid/narcotic medications, but may consider prescribing anti-depressant and/or antiseizure medications with pain relieving properties.

Accumulated scientific research over the past couple of decades has failed to demonstrate any long-term benefit from long-term opioid/narcotic treatment for persistent pain in terms of reduced pain, improved function or improved quality of life. It has become abundantly clear there are multiple risks associated with long-term use of opioid/narcotic medications. Given this background, the providers at the Montana Spine & Pain Center have decided that in most cases, the risks associated with the prescription of opioid/narcotic medications outweigh the benefits. Since this is the case, if you are currently taking opioid/narcotic pain medications, our providers will most likely recommend you taper off those medications.

The best way to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms is to reduce the amount of medication you are taking or to decrease how often you are taking it before you run out. Consider talking with your primary care provider or your pharmacist about tapering your medication. Reducing the amount by 25 percent per day, may result in some withdrawal symptoms, but it is better than having to stop the medication completely when you run out. If you have enough medication, taper off more slowly, such as 10-20 percent every 1-7 days.

Do not break open extended release tablets or tamper with fentanyl patches, as that can release the entire dose, causing overdose and possible death. Take the entire extended release dose or use the entire patch less often. Please consult a pharmacist if you have any questions about your medication.

Yes. At the Montana Spine & Pain Center, our behavioral health professionals can teach you how changes in behavior and lifestyle and enhanced coping skills can help you to reduce pain, increase function and enjoy a better quality of life in which your life no longer revolves around pain but is guided by your most important personal values. Our Understanding Pain Program is designed to provide patients with valuable information about how pain works in the human body and to dispel common misconceptions patients often have about pain, leading to unhealthy behavior which only makes pain worse.

As a part of the Understanding Pain program, we provide coaching and guidance in developing and pursuing goals to increase physical function and to develop neurophysiological quieting (i.e., relaxation and meditation) techniques which can be helpful in reducing short-term and long-term pain. The program is usually delivered in a group setting, but our behavioral health professionals can work with patients on an individual basis if this makes more sense. Working with you individually, we can also provide biofeedback therapy.

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About Providence Health & Services

Providence Health & Services in Montana is a not-for-profit network of hospitals, physicians, clinics, care centers, hospice and home health programs, and diverse community services across western Montana. With more than 40 clinics, two hospitals and over 2,000 caregivers statewide, our health and services organizations work together to provide quality care to those in need. We continue to honor and live by a commitment to compassionate service that the Sisters of Providence began more than 155 years ago.

Our Mission

As expressions of God’s healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.